Post by TGM on Feb 22, 2008 1:03:00 GMT -5

Two years after the Avatar defeated the Fire Lord and ended the war, things still haven't quite gotten back to normal. By the end of that terrifying summer, many smaller towns had been burned to the ground, and their refugees, unable to rebuild quickly before the onset of winter, moved to the bigger cities of Omashu, Ba Sing Se, and the blossoming desert citadel, Ma Lei, aptly nicknamed Lotus City...

And the City is as beautiful as its namesake. Large, curved walls alternate, acting as a buffer against the sands. Information booths and basic supply stalls line the inner walls near the narrow opening, providing help for weary travelers. With lush, waving crops lining the outer walls, neighborhoods face inwards towards the Great Tower and the Hall of Government. Murals cover the inside walls of the city with beautiful designs, and parks dot the city almost unnaturally. Yet the lovely Lotus City may not be as safe as it is made out to be.

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After a long journey through the hot desert sands, having faced the trials of sand storms, sharkworms, and each others tempers, the members of the caravan have finally reached Lotus City. And they could not have come at a more opportune time: the Festival of Stars, a time where the city gives thanks for the guiding constellations that brought them to their new home, is underway. Yet underneath the merriment there is unrest. Senator Marus, leader of the northwest quarter, has been arrested and is being held in the high tower for attacking a firebender on the street after a night of heavy drinking, and behind closed doors the city is beginning to split under racial tensions. Will Geming, the violent Earth Kingdom veteran who believes in the extermination of firebenders, find a foothold here, despite being locked in the Great Tower? Will the members of the caravan be able to start new lives, or will they be too hindered by the past?

This thread is a continuance of the RP A Far Cry From Home, Distant Horizons largest and longest running role play.

Post by TGM on Feb 23, 2008 1:02:36 GMT -5

The sandsailor coasted to a stop on the crest of a dune, and Fenny could only look up with awe as she and the others got off the sandsailor for the last time. The white walls that had gleamed so brightly earlier in the edge of dawn now looked rugged and worn from the blasting sand and wind, but still towered over the dunes like giants. Vaguely a thought drifted through her mind that someone had told her Ba Sing Se was like this, but she didn't think even the Earth Kingdom capitol could have walls so immense and blindingly white. "Move to your left, please. Everyone inside." a cheerful old man in white and gold gestured the caravan around the left side of the enormous wall, but from here Fenny could not see any gates. Puzzled, she grabbed her small bag and followed the old man's instruction, and from there was greeted an entirely different sight: the wedge between this wall and the next lay open, giving her the view of a bustling alley. Booths lined the walls, selling food, clothes and trinkets as well as handing out information to those who had just arrived. Children played amongst the rabble with shouts of joy, and were shooed out of the way by hurrying traders and customers. Lanterns in red and green and white lit the alley and cast their tints on all they could reach, as the morning sun had not yet made it over the high wall and the alley was still covered in shadow. Suddenly hit with excitement, Fenny maneuvered through the thick crowds of the alley, eager to see more. She made her way to the end of the crowds, then had to wait a moment for her eyes to adjust back to the natural sunlight. She had passed the end of the inner wall, and was looking at the city proper. Waves of green, all the city's crops, rustled in the slight morning breeze like an enormous ocean. And there, like a squat little island, sat the heart of the city in the center. It was surprising, so much greenery after having spent so much time in the desert. Fenny swore she thought she saw some trees here and there. It was beautiful.

Post by pirateliz on Feb 23, 2008 13:55:10 GMT -5

Abeni had never in her life seen a city. Sure she had seen the "Oasis" which was mostly squat buildings thrown into the sand as if a child had gotten angry at its toys. This, this city was something entirely different. She gaped at all the playing children and then the mass of people. She grabbed at her paint box and clutched it tightly to her, while the rest of her made sure she was clinging tight enough to Saiki she might make her lose blood circulation.

Hati grinned ear to ear. This was her sort of place, she had grown up in Omashu and the bustling city life was for her. She quickly tugged on Noa's hand. "Noa, lets go! Lets go!" She whispered excitedly. "We can leave this absurd sand sailor behind!"

Matsu was also immune to the crowd, all though a city full of people that wasn't just Fire Nation, or Fire Nation occupied, was a little strange to him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fenny dart through the crowd. "Fenny!" He called after her. "Wait!" Matsu stumbled forward, pushing his way through the crowd. He winced as he was jostled and his injured arm was repeatedly hit.

A Far Cry from home is moving to Here "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"- Adam Savage, Mythbusters

Post by darkblood_alchemist on Feb 23, 2008 15:57:39 GMT -5

Saiki looked up silently at the towering city wall. She had never been to a city before, and was awed by the sheer size of the place. Gripping her pack tightly, she walked cautiously through the gate, Abeni clinging tightly to her arm. The sudden rush of people and sound astounded her, and she gripped the back of Abeni's clothing instinctively with her free hand. Saiki pushed her way through the crowd, reasoning that there had to be a quiet place beyond the crush of people and venders.

Icons by me, awesome sig by NightLife is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think. - La BruyereIf at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a dang fool about it. - W.C. Fields

Post by Sakura on Feb 23, 2008 17:56:57 GMT -5

Hyana Kino wandered around the marketplace, her knee-length dress ruffled by a desert breeze. She carried a large basket filled with flower seeds. She stopped and stared at the sky, which was as blue as a forest river.

"I have a strange feeling something interesting will happen today," Hyana murmured to no one in particular. She gave a sigh, tore her eyes from the faint clouds, and got back to her errands.

Post by TGM on Feb 23, 2008 18:24:48 GMT -5

Fenny turned to smile at Matsu as he broke through the crowd behind her, the breeze off the fields whipping her hair about. She looked like a different person, more at ease that she had ever been during the trip. "Beautiful, isn't it?" She turned back to look at the city before her. "I know he's here. He's got to be here somewhere."

Post by pirateliz on Feb 24, 2008 0:46:28 GMT -5

"It is." He murmured, his eyes glancing over to her for a moment before looking back at the green fields. "Good luck on..finding him, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you again. I..know I would be." Matsu gritted his teeth, clutching his arm tightly as pain rippled through his shoulder then across his chest.

A Far Cry from home is moving to Here "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"- Adam Savage, Mythbusters

Post by TGM on Feb 24, 2008 1:14:03 GMT -5

Fenny turned again to say something to Matsu, but hesitated when she saw the look of pain cross his face. "You're hurting." Fenny stepped back towards him, away from the crops and the city. "Let's see if we can find you a doctor. I know I saw an information booth back a ways."

Post by 8leggdbutterfly on Feb 24, 2008 1:29:35 GMT -5

Morning was the perfect time for him - bustling people, dim lights: Ikram loved it. The perfect time to practice his craft. He smiled apologetically at the woman he had just bumped into, slipping the pouch he had taken from her behind his back.

She returned his smile and nodded forgivingly.

How easy it was.

He supposed he should feel more guilty than he did, but she bore obvious signs of wealth and a little, minor thievery would cause no real harm. He grinned again and continued walking.

His complacency had made him momentarily oblivious, however, and quite unintentionally he bumped into a woman with a long, brown braid clutching the back of a girl's shirt.

"Oh! That was... sorry! An accident. Quite sorry." He smiled at her disarmingly, genuinely apologetic.

Post by darkblood_alchemist on Feb 24, 2008 11:53:03 GMT -5

Saiki's grip momentarily loosened from Abeni as she stumbled back a step. "Oh! That was... sorry! An accident. Quite sorry." She turned in the direction of the voice, wondering why there had to be so many people in such a small place and silently deciding that she wasn't too fond of the city. Saiki started to give a small nod to show she accepted his apology, but she caught sight of his arm held suspiciously behind his back. Her frown deepened and her eyes narrowed on the youth in front of her, obvious distrust in her face.

Icons by me, awesome sig by NightLife is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think. - La BruyereIf at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a dang fool about it. - W.C. Fields

Post by Sakura on Feb 24, 2008 17:45:40 GMT -5

Hyana stumbled through the swelling crowd, occasionally bumping into a passerby. Her quiet apologies were endless, and as she finally made it to the edge of the marketplace, she was pretty battered and bruised. The contents of her basket, usually so neatly arranged, were mixed up and dented.

As Hyana started to walk towards a small cluster of shops a little ways off, she accidentally tripped over her own feet, sending her tumbling to the ground. The boxes in her basket were sent flying as her head hit the cobblestones.

After a few minutes, Hyana got to her feet and picked up her basket. Her cheeks red with embarressment, she began to stumble around, snatching up her goods. When Hyana had gotten most of her goods, she realised that the last and most important parcel had come to a rest at the feet of a bedraggled couple. She walked over slowly, unsure of what to do.

Post by Atmos on Feb 25, 2008 21:24:20 GMT -5

Noa stared up at the behemoth of white walls that sketched across both sides of his vision, seemingly touching the sky. There weren't that many destinations that would actually make a guy like Noa speechless even for a moment or get him to ignore his hunger. Noa's wonder slowed his pace as everyone else rushed for relief into the Lotus City. His airy state was broken when he was pulled forward by Hati, "Noa, lets go! Lets go!" She said closely to him as if trying to contain her excitement. "We can leave this absurd sand sailor behind!"

Noa laughed and joked with her, "Aw, you sure you're not going to miss being that desert boat?"

Following Hati through the wall's alleyway Noa immediately absorbed the high spirits that glowed amongst the crowd. This wasn't like in the oasis; here everyone seemed at eased and settled. At the same time it was a refreshing feeling to be under the shade from the desert sun. He thought of stopping at any random kiosk and stall and just giving a big greeting and share stories of his time at the desert. He was sure that everyone here had to have experienced just an adventure to get here. He focused on Hati again, and her joy just made him laugh, "So, do you know where you're going?" They made it to the other end of the valley were he saw a vast flat of green.

-------

Unlike the mass of the populous in the city who were still shadowed by the great walls, the high prison tower was already greeted by the rays of the sun. Geming huffed as he looked down at the bustling grounds through a small barred window, the only source of light seeping into the room of steel. The interior of the entire tower was lined with thick steel and even wood to keep earthbender's hindered from their element.

Geming he swiveled his gaze to the door where he would see occasional shadows walked by passing through the dim torchlight. Geming finally understood how he got into this mess. A significant number of a sentinels he came across...were from the Fire Nation. None revealed to be firebenders but anyone spawned from the hell on earth such as the continuent of the Fire Nation is plague enough. Though this wasn't his first imte in the city, he didn't it could already get this bad. But he stayed as patient was possible. It was only a matter of time.

Post by pirateliz on Feb 26, 2008 20:33:19 GMT -5

Abeni was quick though. When Saiki's grip loosend on her she twisted and latched onto her leg. This city terrified her. She let out a small whimper.

"Actually, no." Hati grimaced and slowed to a stop as she looked around her. She smiled though and actually admired the city around her. "It is beautiful, isn't it?" She turned and looked at Noa charmingly. Hati seemed much more relaxed now that she wasn't on the sandbenders.That was until someone dropped a bunch of items in front of her. She looked at the package in front of her and then slowly nudged it with her foot towards Hyana. "You dropped this."

"No, no, I'm fine." Matsu murmured. That was a lie, he was starting to feel hot and his stomach felt queasy.

A Far Cry from home is moving to Here "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"- Adam Savage, Mythbusters

Post by TGM on Feb 27, 2008 1:36:13 GMT -5

"You don't look fine." said Fenny firmly, nudging him before her like a baby chick back through the maze of crowds, stopping only when she came to a booth filled with pamphlets. The stocky woman behind the counter spent some time explaining the irrigation system to a curious tourist before Fenny could finally interrupt."Hey! Ah... 'scuse me, could you direct us to a doctor, or at least an apothecary?" Fenny asked, gesturing back towards Matsu. "Oh dear... your husband does look sick, dear." agreed the stocky woman, looking over Matsu with concern."He isn't my..""There are some doctors out here on the outer edge to tend to new comers, but if you don't mind the walk I'd say go into the city to the healer." continued the woman."A healer?" Fenny visibly brightened. She had grown up around healers and much preferred them to doctors."That's right. The doctor's are fine for cuts and broken bones, but your lad looks like he has a blood sickness, and doctors aren't any help there." the woman nodded emphatically, then leaned in. "And I might as well tell you: since you're new in town, you'll want to procure some housing right away. The Star Festival is tomorrow night, and we're already getting lots of tourists from Ba Sing Se. Soon there won't be any housing left, let alone rented rooms. Best drop off your man then go and yourself a roof while he's being tended to." Fenny smiled: it'd been a long time since a stranger had been so genuinely helpful to her. "Thanks.""No problem, dear. We've all been through it before." the woman winked conspiratorially, "Me myself, had three kids in tow at the time, not counting the husband." she gave a barking laugh.Fenny fiddled with a pamphlet, opening it to a map. "So exactly where in the city..?"